Value Maximisation in Shared Fisheries PublicDeposited

Descriptions

This paper explores some theoretical and practical issues in developing policy for the management of shared fisheries for maximum value. Maximisation of value from the use of resources is a key component of sustainability, and transferable rights in commercial fisheries management have contributed significantly toward this goal. Maximising value becomes more difficult in fisheries shared among commercial, amateur, and indigenous customary users, where rights of access and values gained from fishing differ in kind between these groups. Management of stock abundance and catch allocation between sectors both affect the total value achievable from a fishery. The components of value in these attributes for each sector and the basis for optimisation discussed. However, the practical aspects of optimisation across sectors pose some difficulties. Two approaches to the problem are discussed: the information approach and the market approach. It seems both face considerable challenges. Information is expensive to collect and methods that will provide reasonable accuracy seem difficult to identify in the New Zealand context. Market approaches appear promising but face problems of political and stakeholder acceptance. Conclusions on a practical way forward include the need for transparent, collaborative multi-stakeholder approaches among sector representatives and government agencies.